Feb 24 Erin Shakoor- " I see it all as Art!"

Imagine
having the freedom to exist with no restraints on your passion or creativity.
Now imagine you're given task that challenge you and allow you to stretch
and grow in ways you never dreamed possible. Imagine making something that
not only gives joy but is nurturing to the soul. Now imagine being able to push
not only your limits, but those of everyone around you. Now, throw in the
ability to create in this way every day of your life and you'll have Erin Shakoor's Life.

This is Erin Shakoor's world. She
sees it all as art. Interior design for her is no different than a song, a novel, or a poem.

I interviewed Erin for our series on
African American Interior Designers and was taken in by the Zen-ness of her
thoughts and process. I started with some pre selected questions, but quickly tossed those aside opting to 'go with the flow' instead. I couldn't cover everything we discussed in this post, so be sure to register for the #AATOP20 May 9th events. Erin will be there and would love to meet you.

PE: Erin, please tell our readers
a little bit about your business and how you got started.

ES: Yes, I started out as a
visual artist before becoming an interior designer. My perspective is
unique in that I approach projects from an artistic viewpoint.

PE: You mean, a creative
perspective?

ES: No, more from a craft
person's perspective. We are crafting environments much like a carpenter
would make cabinets. I'm drawn to the process. I love building things for
the environments that I design. Sometimes that's custom furniture; other
times it's a custom wall treatment. I get my hands dirty by crafting many of
those things myself.

PE: Wow! I like the idea of that.
I believe that when you make something you leave a little of your
soul with it. So, tell me, where do you find
inspiration?

ES: In travel. I love to
see how other people live around the world. I love all of it, the bright
colors of the islands, to the clay floors of African huts and the ornate surfaces and textures of European architecture. It all teaches
me something and feeds a part of my soul.

PE: Traveling is a huge part of my life
as well. I can't say that I've looked at it from your perspective though.

ES: Oh yea. I love all of it from how
they set their tables, to how they use art and design in everyday applications-
I take in all in.

PE: What does a successful interior
design career look like for you?

ES: For me it would look something like
this. A design firm with a very diverse clientele. A product line, again
because I'm a maker. A high end product line that leans more towards bespoke
offering than mass-produced items. And definitely a firm with a charity
component. That would be success to me.

PE: Complete this sentence.
I could spend all day...

ES: Creating space plans for
people. That, or making cocktails.

PE: Finally, what is your fantasy
project?

ES: I would love to design the green
room at an award show. I love the glamour of it all.